ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI bid to revive Public Private Partnership for National Highway Projects
National Highways Authority of India  has identified various stretches on pan India basis which will be constructed through Public Private Partnership on Built Operate Transfer  Mode. These stretches have been selected on the basis of consultation with the perspective bidders.
NHAI has already invited the proposal for Annual Pre-Qualification for construction of 4/6 lane of National Highways for these stretches. The Process of Annual Pre-Qualification will not only streamline & ease the bid process of the individual project on BOT  Mode but also give an idea about the market response. Certain modifications have also been made in the existing RFAQ to make it more industry friendly.
The identified stretches cover about 950 km with a cost of about Rs.30,000 Crore in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh holds a video conference meeting with former Army Generals and Air Marshals on COVID situation in J&K, Ladakh& NE Region today.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today received COVID related inputs, in the context of Northeast Region, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from former Army Generals and Air Marshals.
Prominent among those who interacted and offered their views during the Video Conference meeting were General V P Malik, former Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha former Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force, Lt General Sharath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt General DeependraSingh Hooda, former GoC Northern Command, Lt General Ranbir Singh, former GoC Northern Command, Lt General Rakesh Sharma former DGOL and Major General S K Sharma former Chief of Staff, Northern Command.
In his introductory remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, most of the former senior Generals and Air Marshals did not only have first-hand knowledge of the peculiar situation in the terrains of both Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern Region, but as prominent members of civil society and eminent citizens after superannuation they also enjoyed distinguished role as opinion makers. He said, their inputs and suggestions were not only valuable for improving our efforts in the fight against Corona but could also give us an insight of some of the aspects viewed by them from their own perspective.
Dr Jitendra Singh updated the senior Defence personnel that in the North Eastern Region 5 out of 8 States have already become Corona free while the other 3 States had not added any new Corona positive case in the last few days, which means very soon the entire North Eastern Region could become Corona free. Similarly, updating on Jammu & Kashmir, he said, in the entire Jammu region only 15 Corona cases were remaining while in Kashmir Valley certain pockets like Bandipora, etc. were still showing concern but steadily coming out of it.
All the participants were unanimous in their opinion about the commendable manner in which the government under Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi had effectively led the war against COVID pandemic. They also appreciated that the entire Northeast Region was among the major big areas of India which had gradually come out of the Corona onslaught. Similarly, they also appreciated the effective administration under the present regime in Jammu & Kashmir which had helped in containing the enormity of the Corona spread.
About the lockdown, general opinion was that the relaxation should be gradual. Similarly, for North East, the general advice was that sealing of the borders with other countries like Bangladesh had been beneficial.
In both North East and Jammu & Kashmir the attitude of the common people was described as favourable. Similarly, views were also expressed about the option of online shopping and online classes.
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Ministry of Science & Technology
Newly discovered interaction between light and molecules can power optical devices
Low reflection lenses, high reflection mirrors in devices such as better binoculars and telescopes, colour changing paints, and inks may now be powered by a newly discovered property of the interaction between light and molecules. Bengaluru based scientists have found that UV and blue light combination reversibly switches the system between 3D and 1D photonic structure --- a novel interaction that can help make tunable and effective optical devices.
In their quest to develop materials for tunable and effective optical devices, Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences , an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, have discovered that high levels of light in the blue wavelengths or actinic light lead to switching between two photo isomers --- Chiral Nematic  and Twist Grain Boundary Smectic Cwhich are liquid crystal phases possessing photonic structures in one and three dimensions, respectively. This work involving the research team of Rajalaxmi Sahoo, D.S. Shankar Rao, U.S. Hiremath, C.V. Yelamaggad, and S. Krishna Prasad from CeNS, has been published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry.
The change occurs because of interactions between light and molecules leading to photoisomerization in which light of a specific wavelength  can bend molecules with certain linking groups. A well-known example in this regard involves a change in the shape of a macromolecule of azobenzene derivatives from essentially linear to highly bent form when irradiated with Ultraviolet light . The phenomenon found by the CeNS involves reverse transformation on stimulation with blue light. This phenomenon is quite attractive to achieve photo-driven isothermal phase transitions in liquid crystal  materials. Such photoresponsive LCs are attractive for applications, including flexible polarisers, patterned objects, logic devices, and energy harvesting materials.
The present study also shows that photonic wavelength variations of over 100 nanometres can easily be achieved reversibly within a few tens of seconds, a feature that can find applications ranging from low reflection lenses and high reflection mirrors to colour changing paints and inks.
[Publication link:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c03597
For more details, D.S. Shankar Rao  can be contacted.]
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES ON COVID-19
Number of recovered patients exceeds the number of active patients
More than 50 lakh samples tested by ICMR
Central teams deployed in 6 cities to assist States in COVID-19 management
As many as 5,991 patients were cured of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of patients recovered to 1,35,205, while the total number of active cases is now 1,33,632. For the first time, the total number of recovered patients has exceeded the active cases. The recovery rate now stands at 48.88%.
Also, the number of tests conducted by ICMR has exceeded 50 lakhs; it stands at 50,61,332 today. In the last 24 hours, ICMR has tested 1,45,216 samples. ICMR has continued to ramp up the testing capacity for detecting the Novel Coronavirus in the infected persons. The number of government labs has been increased to 590 and private labs has been increased to 233 .
Central Teams are being deputed to provide technical support and handhold the State Health Departments and Municipal Health Officials to review public health measures being undertaken for COVID-19 in six cities of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru.
The teams will undertake visit to the cities mentioned within the next one week to review public health measures being undertaken for COVID-19. The teams will submit daily report of activities undertaken to State Health Department and the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. They will inform them regarding any issue of urgent importance and also submit a report of its observations and suggestions before concluding the visit.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA .
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Cabinet approvesMutual Recognition Agreement between ICAI, India and MICPA, Malaysia
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Mutual Recognition Agreement between the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India  and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants  to enable appropriately qualified CA  members of either Institute to join the other Institute by receiving appropriate credit for their existing accountancy qualification.
Implementation strategy and Targets:
ICAI and MICPA would enter into an arrangement for the purpose of recognition of each other's qualification through specific module of papers and determining the basis upon which admission to membership of appropriately qualified members of the other body may occur. The proposed MoU will cover Chartered Accountant members of either professional body, who have-achieved membership by completing the education, ethics, examination and practical experience and membership requirements of the two parties, both ICAI and MICPA would agree to provide each other with information on material changes to their qualifying/admission requirements, Continuing Professional Development  policy, exemptions, and any other relevant matter.
Major Impact:
ICAI intends to establish bilateral cooperation with the Institutes in the Asia Pacific Region and therefore intends to sign the MoU with the MICPA. The two accountancy institutes will have an opportunity to play the leadership role in addressing new challenges facing the profession in a globalized environment. A formal arrangement between two regulatory institutions at both ends brings in element of enhanced visibility and wider acceptance amongst stakeholder community thus paving way for augmentation of increased professional opportunities.
Background
The Institute of Chartered Accounts of India  is a statutory body established under “The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949” to regulate the profession of Chartered Accountants in India. The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants a company incorporated in Malaysia under the Companies Act, 1965.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to eminent stalwarts of Constituent Assembly to mark 75 years of its historic first sitting
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to eminent stalwarts of Constituent Assembly to mark 75 years of its historic first sitting.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"Today, 75 years ago our Constituent Assembly met for the first time. Distinguished people from different parts of India, different backgrounds and even differing ideologies came together with one aim- to give the people of India a worthy Constitution. Tributes to these greats.
The first sitting of the Constituent Assembly was Presided over by Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, who was the eldest member of the Assembly.
He was introduced and conducted to the Chair by Acharya Kripalani.
Today, as we mark 75 years of the historic sitting of our Constituent Assembly, I would urge my young friends to know more about this august gathering’s proceedings and about the eminent stalwarts who were a part of it. Doing so would be an intellectually enriching experience."
Ministry of Mines
Shri Pralhad Joshi to Chair Crucial Meeting of National Mineral Exploration Trust
To Focus on Strategic and Critical Mineral Requirement
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi will be chairing the fourth Governing Body meeting of National Mineral Exploration Trust  to be held here on 13th April, 2022. The meeting will be attended by Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Coal, Mines and Railways shri Raosaheb Patil Danve and the Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh who are members of the governing body.
The governing body also has six ministers of State Governments holding charge of Mines and Geology from the states of Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, who are also expected to attend the meeting.
The 4th governing body meeting will be held to review the working of NMET and also to provide directions for further momentum in mineral exploration keeping in view the increasing requirement of the strategic and critical minerals in the country. It is expected that the governing body will contemplate and finalise crucial policy decisions regarding financial incentives to State Governments to carry out mineral exploration as well as involvement of the private sector in exploration activities.
During the financial year 2021-22, NMET has performed exceedingly well in terms of sanctions of projects and providing funds to exploration agencies, surpassing the performance of previous years. The National Mineral Exploration Trust  was established in 2015 with an objective to increase mineral exploration in the country. The Governing Body  of NMET lays down the broad policy framework for the functioning of the Trust and to review its working.
Ministry of Railways
World Class Railway Station
Redevelopment of New Delhi railway station has been taken up on Public Private Partnership mode. Cost of the project is estimated as ₹ 5000 crores. The facilities proposed include congestion free non-conflicting entry/exit to the station premises, segregation of arrival/departure of passengers, adequate concourse area without overcrowding, integration of both sides of the city, integration with other modes of transport systems e.g. Bus, Metro, etc., user friendly international signage, well illuminated circulating area and sufficient provision for drop off, pick up & parking etc. Request for Qualification  has been opened on 02.02.2021.
Station redevelopment is planned by leveraging real estate potential of sparable land and air space in and around stations, inviting private participation. For this, Railway conducts techno-economic feasibility studies of stations across the country. Based on the outcome of these feasibility studies, stations are taken up for redevelopment in phases.
Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, New Bhuj, Sabarmati, Surat and Udhna railway stations have been identified for redevelopment in the State of Gujarat. Works are at advanced stage of completion at Gandhinagar. RFQ has been finalized for Sabarmati station. RFQ for Surat and Udhna stations have been submitted to Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee , Ministry of Finance, for appraisal. Detailed Project Report for Ahmedabad and New Bhuj are at various stages of preparation.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Tamil Nadu
The Income Tax Department carried out searches on 11.03.2021 in the case of a group of individuals who are involved in handling huge amount of cash and routing unaccounted money through foreign entities and bank accounts of their related concerns. The search operation was carried out at 20 premises located in Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Virudhunagar and Theni.
The evidences found in the searched premises revealed that cash deposits of more than Rs. 100 crore were made through various entities in the guise of sale and purchase of agricultural commodities whereas no such activity exists and no stock was found. The sale and purchase invoices were found to be fabricated by their employees. Further, sales and stock were circulated among group entities to manipulate the turnover to obtain bank loans. Many of these entities had not filed any tax return so far.
While Rs. 150 crore was received by a group entity through a debenture issue from a foreign entity, the evidences found during the search revealed that this was a sham transaction and all the money went to the personal accounts of these individuals.
Further, the group entities imported spices wherein they over-invoiced the import cost to about Rs. 25 crore. To this extent, money was siphoned-off from India and diverted to their personal accounts in other countries.
During the search, evidence was also found which showed that numerous immovable properties have been purchased in the last 3-4 years in the prime locations of Chennai and other towns of Tamil Nadu at a value even lesser than circle rates. Many of these properties were also not disclosed in the IT returns.
More than 25 luxury cars were found during the search, and many were unaccounted. Evidence has also been found of the existence of undisclosed foreign bank accounts, foreign credit cards and investments in foreign entities.
Unaccounted cash of Rs. 50 lakh, jewellery worth Rs. 3 crore and 9 luxury vehicles worth Rs. 12.5 crore have been seized so far.
The searches, so far, have resulted in the detection of undisclosed income of around Rs. 400 crore. Relevant investigations under the Black Money Act will also be carried out.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Payroll Reporting in India – A Formal Employment Perspective
The National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the press note on Employment Outlook of the country covering the period September, 2017 to June, 2019, based on the administrative records available with selected government agencies to assess the progress in certain dimensions.A detailed note is annexed.
Click here to access the detailed note related to Employment Outlook
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department pushes additional cases of High Cash Deposits in Second Phase of Operation Clean Money.
The Income Tax Department  has used information received under the Statement of Financial Transactions  to identify 5.56 lakh new persons in the second phase of “Operation Clean Money” . These are persons whose tax profiles were found to be inconsistent with the cash deposits made by them during the demonetization period. Another 1.04 lakh persons who did not disclose all bank accounts during e-verification in the first phase of OCM have also been identified. In the first phase, 17.92 Lakh persons had been identified for e-verification of large cash deposits, of which 9.72 Lakh people had submitted online response.
The information in respect of the cases and accounts identified has been made available in the e-filing window of the PAN holder at the portal https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. The PAN holder can view the information using the link “Cash Transactions 2016” under “Compliance” section of the portal. The taxpayer will be able to submit online explanation without any need to visit Income Tax office. All identified persons are being informed through Email and SMS for submitting response online.
The following information has been communicated to promote voluntary compliance:
· Details of cash deposited in bank accounts aggregating to 2 lakh or more is required to be given in the Income Tax Return . This information will be matched with the information in possession of the Income tax Department.
· The taxpayer should ensure that ITR is compliant with amount deposited in bank accounts during the period of demonetization and while computing income, the amounts so deposited are considered/ taken into account while paying taxes.
· Cash deposits made in the above period may thus be fully and truly disclosed in the ITR.
The Portal of Operation Clean Money  launched on 16th May 2017 has the following features:
· Providing comprehensive information at one place consisting of Step by Step Guides, Frequently asked Questions, User Guides, Quick Reference Guides and Training Toolkits related to verification process and other issues.
· Enabling Citizen Engagement for creating a tax compliant society where every Indian takes pride in paying taxes. Citizens would be able to support the operation clean money by taking pledge , contribute by engaging and educating fellow citizens , and share their experiences and provide feedback .
· Enabling Transparent Tax Administration by sharing status reports  and thematic analysis reports .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 164
India’s Cumulative Vaccination Coverage exceeds 32.85 Cr
More than 48.01 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 8.95 Cr Vaccine doses administered in the age group 18-44, so far
India’s cumulative COVID Vaccination Coverage exceeded 32.85 crore , as per the 7 pm provisional report today. As the new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June, more than 48.01  lakh Vaccine Doses administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report.
28,63,823 vaccine doses were administered as first dose and 91,640 vaccine doses given as second dose in the age group 18-44 years today. Cumulatively, 8,75,67,172 persons across 37 States/UTs have received their first dose and total 19,94,410 have received their second dose since the start of Phase-3 of the vaccination drive. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have administered more than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years for the first dose of COVID vaccine.
The table below shows the cumulative vaccine doses administered to 18-44 years age group till now.
|
|
S.No.
|
|
State
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1
|
|
A & N Islands
|
|
45504
|
|
13
|
|
2
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
1663861
|
|
14066
|
|
3
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
206787
|
|
9
|
|
4
|
|
Assam
|
|
2296544
|
|
138097
|
|
5
|
|
Bihar
|
|
5177841
|
|
82357
|
|
6
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
177462
|
|
253
|
|
7
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
2288164
|
|
65182
|
|
8
|
|
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
|
|
119706
|
|
29
|
|
9
|
|
Daman & Diu
|
|
132379
|
|
195
|
|
10
|
|
Delhi
|
|
2340867
|
|
164378
|
|
11
|
|
Goa
|
|
314972
|
|
4751
|
|
12
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
6973347
|
|
200335
|
|
13
|
|
Haryana
|
|
2939443
|
|
85968
|
|
14
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
1043857
|
|
371
|
|
15
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
799009
|
|
31577
|
|
16
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
2111273
|
|
64352
|
|
17
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
6110751
|
|
84271
|
|
18
|
|
Kerala
|
|
1781280
|
|
20333
|
|
19
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
73442
|
|
1
|
|
20
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
|
22249
|
|
11
|
|
21
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
8638550
|
|
145237
|
|
22
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
5874990
|
|
277674
|
|
23
|
|
Manipur
|
|
150443
|
|
103
|
|
24
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
219556
|
|
24
|
|
25
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
245589
|
|
20
|
|
26
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
197642
|
|
43
|
|
27
|
|
Odisha
|
|
2830572
|
|
149055
|
|
28
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
172340
|
|
153
|
|
29
|
|
Punjab
|
|
1407043
|
|
16521
|
|
30
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
7137528
|
|
49379
|
|
31
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
207900
|
|
3
|
|
32
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
5030661
|
|
86212
|
|
33
|
|
Telangana
|
|
3644833
|
|
37010
|
|
34
|
|
Tripura
|
|
791721
|
|
12641
|
|
35
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
9076617
|
|
180903
|
|
36
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
1256963
|
|
36262
|
|
37
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
4065486
|
|
46621
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
8,75,67,172
|
|
19,94,410